cyber crime investigation (FBI)

 A cyber crime investigation is the process of analyzing and recovering digital evidence of a cyber crime. Cyber crime investigations are different from physical-world criminal investigations because the evidence is mostly digital. 

Some tasks that cyber crime investigators perform include:

• Determining the nature of the crime
• Conducting an initial investigation
• Identifying possible digital evidence
• Performing digital forensics on devices
• Securing digital devices and evidence
• Presenting evidence in the judicial system
• Tracking the authors of the cyber crime
• Identifying fraudulent cyber activities
• Estimation of financial losses
• Analyzing suspicious financial transactions 

Some benefits of digital forensics include:

• Tracing the origin of a cyber-attack
• Identifying the source of a leak
• Linking a suspect to a crime scene 

Cyber crime investigators may work for an administration or law enforcement agency or company. They may also study other comparable crimes, such as which state or national laws were violated. 

Defining Cyber Crime InvestigationsIdentifying, analyzing, and tracking digital evidence to uncover the perpetrators and their motives. Learning about the case and assessing the situation. Conducting the initial investigation. Identifying potential evidence.

• Phishing. Phishing is a technique used by cyber criminals to trick people into installing some malicious software, most likely through a link. ...
• Fraud. Fraud is a very common occurrence in today's digital world. ...
• Malware and Ransomware. ...
• Spoofing. ...
• Hacking.

Cybercrime investigation involves the process of tracking, analyzing, and prosecuting criminal activities that occur in the digital realm. Here's a breakdown of the typical steps involved:

1. Initial Assessment: The investigation begins with the identification of potential cybercrime activities. This could be through reports from victims, automated monitoring systems, or other means.

2. Preservation of Evidence: Preserving digital evidence is crucial. This involves creating a copy of the digital evidence without altering the original data. Chain of custody procedures must be followed to ensure the evidence is admissible in court.

3. Analysis of Evidence: Investigators analyze the collected evidence to identify patterns, traces, and clues left behind by the perpetrator. This may involve examining log files, network traffic, system files, and any other relevant digital artifacts.

4. Identification of Suspects: Once evidence has been analyzed, investigators attempt to identify potential suspects. This may involve tracing IP addresses, analyzing communication logs, or using other forensic techniques.

5. Gathering Additional Evidence: Investigators may need to gather additional evidence to strengthen their case. This could involve obtaining search warrants, conducting interviews, or leveraging other investigative tools.

6. Arrest and Prosecution: If sufficient evidence is gathered, law enforcement authorities may proceed with the arrest of the suspect. The case is then presented to prosecutors who decide whether to file charges and pursue prosecution.

7. Trial: If the case goes to trial, the evidence collected during the investigation is presented in court. Expert witnesses may be called upon to testify about the forensic analysis and the significance of the digital evidence.

8. Post-Investigation Activities: After the trial, investigators may engage in post-investigation activities, such as debriefing, documentation, and updating procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Throughout the investigation process, it's important for investigators to adhere to legal and ethical guidelines, maintain the integrity of the evidence, and respect the rights of both victims and suspects. Additionally, collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, cybersecurity experts, and relevant stakeholders can enhance the effectiveness of cybercrime investigations.

Identifying cybercrime can be challenging, but there are several common signs and indicators that may suggest illegal activity is taking place:

1. Unusual Network Activity: Anomalies in network traffic, such as unexpected spikes in data usage or unusual connections to suspicious IP addresses, may indicate malicious activity.

2. Unauthorized Access: Evidence of unauthorized access to systems or accounts, such as failed login attempts, unusual login locations, or changes to user privileges, could indicate a cyber intrusion.

3. Malware Infections: Signs of malware infections on systems, such as unusual behavior, unexpected pop-up messages, or antivirus alerts, may suggest a cyber attack is underway.

4. Data Breaches: Unexplained data leaks, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, or unusual patterns of data access could indicate a data breach.

5. Phishing Attempts: Suspicious emails or messages designed to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details, are common indicators of phishing attacks.

6. Ransomware Messages: Messages demanding payment in exchange for restoring access to encrypted files are a clear sign of a ransomware attack.

7. Financial Irregularities: Unexplained financial transactions, discrepancies in financial records, or unauthorized withdrawals could indicate financial fraud or cyber theft.

8. Social Engineering Tactics: Attempts to manipulate individuals into disclosing confidential information or performing actions that compromise security, such as impersonation or pretexting, may indicate social engineering attacks.

9. Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks: Unexplained disruptions in service availability, unusually slow network performance, or inaccessible websites could be signs of a DoS or DDoS attack.

10. Strange System Behavior: Unexpected system crashes, slowdowns, or unexplained changes to system settings may indicate the presence of malware or unauthorized system modifications.

If you notice any of these signs or suspect that you've been a victim of cybercrime, it's essential to report the incident to the appropriate authorities or seek assistance from cybersecurity professionals to investigate further and mitigate the impact of the attack.

The Cyber Threat 

Malicious cyber activity threatens the public’s safety and our national and economic security. The FBI’s cyber strategy is to impose risk and consequences on cyber adversaries. Our goal is to change the behavior of criminals and nation-states who believe they can compromise U.S. networks, steal financial and intellectual property, and put critical infrastructure at risk without facing risk themselves. To do this, we use our unique mix of authorities, capabilities, and partnerships to impose consequences against our cyber adversaries.

The FBI is the lead federal agency for investigating cyber attacks and intrusions. We collect and share intelligence and engage with victims while working to unmask those committing malicious cyber activities, wherever they are.

Learn more about what you can do to protect yourself from cyber criminals, how you can report cyber crime, and the Bureau's efforts in combating the evolving cyber threat.

Private Sector Partners 

Learn how businesses and organizations can work with the FBI to get ahead of the threat and make an impact on our cyber adversaries.

A Complex, Global Concern 

Our adversaries look to exploit gaps in our intelligence and information security networks. The FBI is committed to working with our federal counterparts, our foreign partners, and the private sector to close those gaps.

These partnerships allow us to defend networks, attribute malicious activity, sanction bad behavior, and take the fight to our adversaries overseas. The FBI fosters this team approach through unique hubs where government, industry, and academia form long-term trusted relationships to combine efforts against cyber threats.

Within government, that hub is the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF). The FBI leads this task force of more than 30 co-located agencies from the Intelligence Community and law enforcement. The NCIJTF is organized around mission centers based on key cyber threat areas and led by senior executives from partner agencies. Through these mission centers, operations and intelligence are integrated for maximum impact against U.S. adversaries.

Only together can we achieve safety, security, and confidence in a digitally connected world.

How We Work 

Whether through developing innovative investigative techniques, using cutting-edge analytic tools, or forging new partnerships in our communities, the FBI continues to adapt to meet the challenges posed by the evolving cyber threat.

• The FBI has specially trained cyber squads in each of our 56 field offices, working hand-in-hand with interagency task force partners.
• The rapid-response Cyber Action Team can deploy across the country within hours to respond to major incidents.
• With cyber assistant legal attachés in embassies across the globe, the FBI works closely with our international counterparts to seek justice for victims of malicious cyber activity.
• The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) collects reports of Internet crime from the public. Using such complaints, the IC3’s Recovery Asset Team has assisted in freezing hundreds of thousands of dollars for victims of cyber crime.
• CyWatch is the FBI’s 24/7 operations center and watch floor, providing around-the-clock support to track incidents and communicate with field offices across the country.

Asset Forfeiture

Asset forfeiture is a powerful tool used by law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, against criminals and criminal organizations to deprive them of their property used illegally and their ill-gotten gains through seizure of these assets. It is also used to compensate victims of crime. Learn more about the FBI’s asset forfeiture program and to see forfeiture in action.

What You Should Know 

Protect Yourself

• Taking the right security measures and being alert and aware when connected are key ways to prevent cyber intrusions and online crimes. Learn how to protect your computer, network, and personal information.

Understand Common Crimes and Risks Online

• Business email compromise (BEC) scams exploit the fact that so many of us rely on email to conduct business—both personal and professional—and it’s one of the most financially damaging online crimes.
  
• Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information, like your Social Security number, and uses it to commit theft or fraud.
• Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, that prevents you from accessing your computer files, systems, or networks and demands you pay a ransom for their return.
• Spoofing and phishing are schemes aimed at tricking you into providing sensitive information to scammers.
• Online predators are a growing threat to young people.
• More common crimes and scams
  

Respond and Report 

File a Report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center

If you are the victim of online or internet-enabled crime, file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) as soon as possible. Crime reports are used for investigative and intelligence purposes. Rapid reporting can also help support the recovery of lost funds. Visit ic3.gov for more information, including tips and information about current crime trends.

Contact Your Local FBI Field Office

If you or your organization is the victim of a network intrusion, data breach, or ransomware attack, contact your nearest FBI field office or report it at tips.fbi.gov.

Cyber Safety Tips

Internet-enabled crimes and cyber intrusions are becoming increasingly sophisticated and preventing them requires each user of a connected device to be aware and on guard. 

• Keep systems and software up to date and install a strong, reputable anti-virus program.
• Be careful when connecting to a public Wi-Fi network and do not conduct any sensitive transactions, including purchases, when on a public network.
• Create a strong and unique passphrase for each online account.
• Set up multi-factor authentication on all accounts that allow it.
• Examine the email address in all correspondence and scrutinize website URLs before responding to a message or visiting a site
• Don’t click on anything in unsolicited emails or text messages.
• Be cautious about the information you share in online profiles and social media accounts. Sharing things like pet names, schools, and family members can give scammers the hints they need to guess your passwords or the answers to your account security questions.
• Don't send payments to unknown people or organizations that are seeking monetary support and urge immediate action.